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Cumin

Also: jeera (Hindi) · comino (Spanish) · Cuminum cyminum

An earthy everyday spice. Small trials of cumin supplements show modest effects, with mixed quality.

Overall evidence

Evidence level: Limited or early evidence

A handful of small supplement trials; not tested as a cooking spice.

A few small or low-quality studies, inconsistent results, or mostly lab and animal work. Interesting, but not enough to rely on.

Cumin seeds
Photo: Misterneedlemouse, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0-1.0)

What it is

The dried seed of Cuminum cyminum, used whole, toasted or ground across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

Traditional use

Tradition, not evidence: how cultures use it, not proof that it works.

  • India

    Jeera is the first spice into hot oil for dal; jeera water is sipped after a heavy meal.

  • Mexico and Tex-Mex

    Ground cumin seasons chilli and bean dishes.

  • Middle East and North Africa

    Cumin goes into falafel, hummus and baharat, and cumin tea is a home remedy for an upset stomach.

What the research says

Each claim graded on its own evidence.

  • Cumin supplements and weight or cholesterol

    Evidence level: Limited or early evidence

    A 2022 meta-analysis of eight small trials found cumin supplements lowered BMI and total cholesterol, but not LDL cholesterol, and the authors call for more high-quality trials.[1]

In food amounts

A half to two teaspoons per dish.

We describe everyday cooking amounts only, never supplement doses.

Safety

Medicines
Supplement doses are far higher than cooking amounts. If you take regular medicines, ask your pharmacist before using cumin supplements.

If you take regular medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a baby or someone who is unwell, check with a doctor, pharmacist or midwife before using any food or supplement for a health reason.

Sources

  1. [1] Efficacy of Cuminum cyminum supplementation on lipid profile and anthropometric parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials (Tavakoli-Rouzbehani et al.) — Phytotherapy Research, 2022

Sources were checked when this entry was written. Research changes; if you spot something out of date, please tell us.

Cook with cumin

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